2011 Notre Dame Football Preview [NoeBrainer]

A BCS bowl berth is definitely within reach for the 2011 Notre Dame Football team. However, the most elusive call-screener in the Capital Region is not a fan of this assessment.

Notre Dame doesn't have an extremely difficult schedule this season. The toughest teams they'll face are Michigan State, USC, and Stanford. Other than that, it's not exactly a who's who of stellar opponents. South Florida? Air Force? Navy? Maryland? Come on, nine wins is an attainable goal.

The Irish return linebacker Manti Te'o and wide receiver Michael Floyd. Dayne Crist has been named the starting quarterback. Head coach Brian Kelly was able to improve upon a six-win season two years ago by leading the Irish to an 8-5 record in 2010.

Notre Dame was able to beat Miami in the Sun Bowl 33-17. Notre Dame has won two straight bowl games. The Irish dropped nine straight bowl games before beating Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl two years ago and Miami last season.

The expectations are high for the Irish again this season as they normally are. Recently, they've proven to be too high. Time will tell if the Irish can, at least, make it to a BCS bowl game. It's definitely within reason, even if the most elusive call-screener in the Capital Region (Brian Cady) doesn't think so.